My Lords, much of what we have heard in the last hour or so has not come as a surprise to many of us. I am reminded of a phone message I received from Northern Ireland early this morning, from one of the families that I have been literally living with since they were faced with the tragedy of a murder in the Troubles. Speaking as the former archbishop who led so many of the clergy during the...
My Lords, one of my mistakes—and I have made many as Primate of All Ireland—was the occasion when I invited the late Patrick Cormack to visit St Patrick’s cathedral in Armagh. I prided myself that, having shown many visitors round that sacred building, I had very little to learn. Within 10 minutes of the start of our tour, I had lost myself completely. He knew dates, facts, figures,...
My Lords, in my years of service to this House I cannot think of an occasion when sadness, disillusionment and indeed anger pressed upon me to the extent they do today. Over the months we have worked to try to improve this Bill, I have listened to many highly technical speeches based on great parliamentary experience. But to that I have to add one other element today which it has been my sad...
My Lords, I once more find myself speaking as earnestly as I can in support of the sentiments of two former Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland—two men who undertook those tasks at times of division, suffering and what I can only term injustice for so many people in Northern Ireland. Given the fact that two men who had that experience have voiced sentiments in your Lordships’ House...
My Lords, I have frequently felt moved to speak in this House about the suffering that has been endured across Northern Ireland and which is obviously the centre of the approach of this legislation. However, we have also had occasions to be reminded that so little of our society finds, in this proposed legislation, anything that they can have confidence in. On one occasion in Committee, I...
My Lords, I appreciate once more the manner in which the Minister has dealt with my amendments. I want to do everything I can to encourage him to take forward a little further the area I addressed. In light of what he has said, which does not surprise me, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment 9 withdrawn. Clause 4: Actions of the ICRIR: safeguards
My Lords, I rise to address Amendment 9, recognising the consequential relationship of Amendments 20, 27, 29, 59, 61, 62 and 69. In Committee, I frequently reminded noble Lords of the centrality of the urgency of victims’ needs. I also referred to my personal experience, over my adult life, of being in close contact with so many victims. No later than this week, knowing this debate was...
My Lords, I make no apology for the fact that my contributions to the debates on this Bill and legislation stem from my personal experience over the years with victims and survivors, and their families. If noble Lords had a similar experience, they would live with it and continue to live with it until the end of their lives. At this juncture in our debates, we are addressing for technical...
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have sought on the provision of technical instruments to monitor the border crossings between Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland to facilitate an open border between the UK and the EU after Brexit; and from whom.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their priorities in the forthcoming negotiations in Brussels on a legally binding fallback plan to keep Northern Ireland in a common regulatory area with the EU.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have given to the fishing industry in Northern Ireland regarding the rights of fishermen based there to fish in the Irish Sea following Brexit.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of the frequency of sailings of ferry services between Northern Ireland and the UK mainland; and how often such services are reviewed in consultation with the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland and other relevant bodies.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what conversations they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland on the rights of Northern Ireland-based fishermen after Brexit.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons sought British citizenship while resident in Northern Ireland in (1) 2014 to 2015, and (2) 2016 to 2017.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what priority they place on the maintenance of a regular air link between Northern Ireland and London; and how frequently they consult on that issue with (1) British Airways, and (2) Aer Lingus.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland about security arrangements for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland following Brexit.
